Montgomery Webster
Did not work for me. Though it started out good, when the chapters skipped to years in the future, I lost interest. There did not seem to be a larger story structure and the stalking became a bit repetitive.
Hopefully, the film is better.
Sort of a dumb action book. Nevertheless, the metaphysical exploration of time-travel is profound. I suggest it's entire analysis be adopted by the larger community. Since I don't like time-travel Science Fiction or action books, I rated it 5/10: Someone that has more interest in these genres should enjoy it.
Story: 4 / 10
Characters: 7
Setting: 10
Prose: 9
The Windup Girl started so well ... and there were so many reasons to read it: Hugo and Nebula award winner; and someone literally bought me a copy.
The unique, poetic prose and clever post-steampunk setting immerse the reader in the first few pages. The story starts off fairly strong with compelling characters and strange relationship dynamics. However, the plot loses direction in a web of tertiary story threads. At 33% completion, it was clear that the story was ultimately never going to come together. Since I'm reading through all the Nebula and Hugo award winning authors, I cannot honestly suggest you skip this book. Nevertheless, I would suggest reading one of Bacigalupi's later works: I imagine the stories would be more mature.
Tags: generipping (bio-engineering), plagues, post-steampunk, energy-efficiency, asia, androids
Looks like I accidentally read this after Shadows in Flight, though not too sure whether a made a distinct difference. Anyway, I generally enjoyed the book, but like Ender's Game the ending sucks outright.
Story: 7 / 10
Characters: 8
Setting: 8.5
Prose: 3.5
Tags: War, cold, politics, strategy, Korea, US, China, Russia
Story: 8.5 / 10
Characters: 7.5
Setting: 7
Prose: 8.5
Themes: Family, work, memory, relationships, time, personality, mathematics, leisure
¡Cannot get enough of Orson Scott Card!
Most of the information has already been introduced in the previous book (Xenocide), yet it is still beautiful and breathtaking. I do not know if this conclusion to the Ender Quarter stands so well without its predecessor.
I am eager to start the last half of the series, The Shadow Series.
7/10
After reading the author's bio, I thought I would really enjoy the book. However, once it started, I was immediately put off by the subject matter. Luckily, it ended up taking a very conceptual approach to the subject, which was extremely well suited to my interests.
Probably not for everyone, but definitely recommended for philosophers.
Not an easy read and definitely not the book I thought it would be. Will have to look for Communism elsewhere.
Seems almost like a short story. Altogether there was not enough there to warrant reading and definitely not continuing the series. Was worried for most of the book that there would not be an ending, which is miserable. Luckily, it does end, as much as a short story can ever end.
In the end, this book had more variety than its predecessor Foundation. Nevertheless, the ending is weak, strongly suggesting a reliance on at least another book to complete the series. However, a successor does not alone justify Foundation and Empire's existence. I will read the third book, Second Foundation, but any satisfaction that book gives will never repair the reading of this one.
Foundation has a very unusual structure, broken into 3-5 parts that tell very similar stories. As such, the book lacks a strong ending, one that has been repeated 2-4 times before in the book.
Another poor, modern Japanese book. As with most books, the prose was fine.
Reminded me a lot of my favourite book “Being There” by Jerzy Kozinski. The character is flat, thinking only of their career and altogether missing too much from important interpersonal interactions. Luckily, a bit in the ending did clarify that for me.
Absolutely, not recommended.
The book is divided into fiction and nonfiction sections. That approach didn't work for me. The exercises were useful, but the final exercise combining everything didn't seem very relevant.
Nevertheless, the book is innovative and might have more appeal for a child.
Not at all what I was expecting. “Machiavellian” is used so often to describe cut-throat behaviour that you would think the book would be more relevant to general life principles. Sadly, it is really intended for princes and those in monarchies. Unless you are looking for an obscure history lesson in 15th century Italy, I would find something more relevant.
Had already read another Zola book, so knew to expect solid writing with no story direction. Was not happy to have to read another one for the book club, especially since all the faults were the same. Basically about a town and one, large, extended family. Nothing else to say, except not to read it.
Story: 6 / 10
Characters: 5
Setting: 10
Prose: 4
Consider skipping this “quintessential” Japanese science-fiction novel. I came across it on a Top 10 Japanese SF list, which also included 2 other books by Komatsu. However, neither the prose nor the story structure are very strong. Only the story concept is interesting. But what good is a concept without the execution?
Certainly don't read this book before going to Japan for the first time...
Truly an incredible book and I am eager to finish the trilogy. The best part is the first half, before the games begin. The whole thing is an emotional and fantastic commentary on society, especially reality television and the roles that people assume, explicitly or not.
A good read that doesn't waver from the theme. However, you're better of finding a good workshop preparation article to list out all the effective workshop techniques.
